The leadership of the National Assembly of Nigeria on Tuesday held a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, hours after both chambers resumed plenary following a short recess.
Among those present were the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin; Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu; and the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma.
The lawmakers arrived at the forecourt of the State House at about 3:30 p.m. and departed roughly 30 minutes later, at around 4:00 p.m., without speaking to journalists.
As of the time of filing this report, the purpose of the meeting had not been disclosed.
Both chambers of the National Assembly had earlier reconvened at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday after postponing their initial resumption date of February 24. The adjustment was made to allow legislative committees conclude budget defence sessions with various ministries, departments and agencies.
The meeting comes about a week after Tinubu hosted senators and members of the House of Representatives to separate Ramadan Iftar dinners, where he urged lawmakers to commence constitutional amendments to establish state police as part of efforts to address insecurity.
During the Iftar with senators on February 25, Tinubu said, “What I am asking for tonight is for you to start thinking how best to amend the Constitution to incorporate the state police for us to secure our country, take over our forests from marauders, free our children from fear.”
He made a similar appeal during an Iftar dinner with members of the House of Representatives on February 27, calling for safeguards in the proposed constitutional amendment to prevent potential abuse of state police by governors.
Tinubu had also hosted state governors to an Iftar dinner on February 23, where he reiterated his commitment to establishing state police.
“What I promise you is not to be postponed. We will establish state police,” the president said.
